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Early-onset dementia has been on the rise in recent years \u2014 and a major new study has identified the likely reasons.<\/p>\n
Researchers from Maastricht University (UM) in the Netherlands and the University of Exeter in the U.K. have identified 15 factors linked to the development of dementia<\/u> earlier in life.<\/p>\n
The study findings were published in JAMA Neurology on Dec. 26, 2023.<\/p>\n
DEMENTIA\u2019S STAGGERING FINANCIAL COST IS REVEALED IN NEW REPORT: IT’S \u2018BANKRUPTING FAMILIES\u2019<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n “This study shows that there are a wide range of risk factors for young-onset dementia,” Stevie Hendriks, PhD, the lead study author and a postdoctoral researcher at Maastricht University, told Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n
While some of them are genetic, others can be controlled through lifestyle changes<\/u>.<\/p>\n\n
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Researchers from Maastricht University in the Netherlands and the University of Exeter in the U.K. have now identified 15 factors linked to the development of dementia earlier in life \u2014 “challenging the notion that genetics are the sole cause of the condition.”<\/span> (iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n“This study changes our understanding of young-onset dementia, challenging the notion that genetics are the sole cause of the condition and highlighting that a range of risk factors may be important,” said Hendriks.<\/p>\n
15 risk factors<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe study analyzed data from the UK Biobank, which included 356,052 participants who were age 65 and younger and had not received a dementia diagnosis.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The data was collected between 2006 and 2010, with follow-up occurring until March 31, 2021, for England and Scotland, and Feb. 28, 2018, for Wales.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
SMOKING SHRINKS THE BRAIN AND DRIVES UP ALZHEIMER\u2019S RISK, NEW STUDY FINDS<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Of a total of 39 potential risk factors, the researchers identified 15 factors that were “significantly associated” with a higher risk of young-onset dementia.<\/p>\n
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“This study changes our understanding of young-onset dementia, challenging the notion that genetics are the sole cause of the condition and highlighting that a range of risk factors may be important,” said the lead researcher.<\/span> (iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nThose include the following factors.<\/p>\n
1. Lower formal education<\/p>\n
2. Lower socioeconomic status<\/p>\n
3. The presence of 2 apolipoprotein \u03b54 allele (APOE \u03b54, a major genetic risk factor for Alzheimer disease)<\/p>\n
4. Complete abstinence from alcohol<\/p>\n
5. Alcohol use disorder<\/u><\/p>\n
6. Social isolation<\/p>\n
7. Vitamin D deficiency<\/p>\n
8. High levels of C-reactive protein (a protein made by the liver that rises with increased inflammation, per Mayo Clinic)<\/p>\n
9. Reduced handgrip strength<\/p>\n
10. Hearing impairment<\/u><\/p>\n
11. Orthostatic hypotension (lightheadedness or dizziness when standing after sitting or lying down, according to Mayo Clinic)<\/p>\n
12. Stroke<\/p>\n
13. Diabetes<\/p>\n
14. Heart disease<\/u><\/p>\n
15. Depression<\/p>\n
“We already knew from research on people who develop dementia at older ages<\/u> that there are a series of modifiable risk factors,” said Hendriks.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“In addition to physical factors, mental health<\/u> also plays an important role, including avoiding chronic stress, loneliness and depression,” she went on.<\/p>\n
“The fact that this is also evident in young-onset dementia came as a surprise to us, and it may offer opportunities to reduce risk in this group.”<\/p>\n
FASTING COULD REDUCE SIGNS OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE, STUDIES SUGGEST: ‘PROFOUND EFFECTS’<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n The researchers were also surprised by the alcohol-related findings.<\/p>\n
“Our analyses showed that both persons with moderate alcohol use and heavy alcohol use had less risk of young-onset dementia compared to persons who did not drink any alcohol,” Hendriks told Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n
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“In addition to physical factors, mental health also plays an important role, including avoiding chronic stress, loneliness and depression,” the lead researcher of a new study (not pictured) told Fox News Digital.<\/span> (iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n“We are unsure why this is \u2014 one of our theories is that this may be due to the \u2018healthy drinker effect,\u2019 meaning that persons who do not drink may \u2026 have an illness or take medication,” she went on.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“This means that the persons in the \u2018no drinking\u2019 group may be unhealthier than persons in the other groups, leading to the results we found.”<\/p>\n
What is young-onset dementia?<\/strong><\/h2>\nWhen someone develops cognitive decline before age 65, it is defined as young-onset dementia.<\/p>\n
There are approximately 370,000 cases of this type of dementia each year, according to a press release from MU.<\/p>\n
CAN YOU REDUCE ALZHEIMER\u2019S RISK BY SEEING A HEALTH COACH? COGNITIVE STUDY SUGGESTS IT\u2019S POSSIBLE<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n “Young-onset dementia has a very serious impact, because the people affected usually still have a job, children and a busy life,” said Hendriks.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“The cause is often assumed to be genetic, but for many people, we don\u2019t actually know exactly what the cause is. This is why we also wanted to investigate other risk factors in this study.”<\/p>\n
Those with young-onset dementia can benefit from early diagnosis and support<\/u>, the researchers noted.<\/p>\n\n“Young-onset dementia has a very serious impact, because the people affected usually still have a job, children and a busy life.”<\/p>\n
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“In the future, we hope to be able to provide individual advice on lifestyle and risk factors to decrease the individual risk of young-onset dementia \u2014 for instance, for persons who have a genetic predisposition,” Hendriks told Fox News Digital.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Study is \u2018welcome addition,\u2019 more research still needed<\/strong><\/h2>\nClaire Sexton, senior director of scientific programs and outreach for the Alzheimer\u2019s Association, based in Chicago, was not involved in the study but shared her reaction to the findings.<\/p>\n
“Our risk of developing Alzheimer\u2019s and other dementia is influenced by a variety of factors, including our age, genetics and a host of modifiable factors,” she told Fox News Digital.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As relatively few studies have examined risk factors for young-onset dementia, Sexton said that this new research is a “welcome addition.”<\/p>\n
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“Our risk of developing Alzheimer\u2019s and other dementia is influenced by a variety of factors, including our age, genetics and a host of modifiable factors,” an Alzheimer’s expert told Fox News Digital.\u00a0<\/span> (iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n“Not surprisingly, a number of similar risk factors [for] late-onset Alzheimer\u2019s emerged in the authors\u2019 analyses, suggesting possible roles for genetics, socioeconomic status, activity levels, cardiovascular health, education and several additional factors,” Sexton said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“However, the insights into risk factors provided by this study remain important \u2014 once confirmed \u2014 in order to inform future risk reduction initiatives.”<\/p>\n
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Sexton emphasized, however, that “epidemiological studies” like this one do not prove causation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“For many of these risk factors, the relationship may be bidirectional \u2014 that is, the factor may contribute to and\/or be a consequence of disease onset.”<\/p>\n
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There are approximately 370,000 cases of this type of dementia each year, according to a press release from the university that conducted the research.<\/span> (iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nHendriks also acknowledged that this was an observational study, “which means we cannot say anything about causation.”\u00a0<\/p>\n
Some factors in the study may be early signs of young-onset dementia rather than risk factors, the researcher noted.\u00a0<\/p>\n
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n “We need more studies investigating risk factors of young-onset dementia to validate our findings,” she said.<\/p>\n
“Although this is the largest study on risk factors for young-onset dementia to date, bigger studies are needed to increase the reliability of the results,” Henriks added.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For more Health articles, visit <\/u><\/strong><\/i>www.foxnews.com\/health<\/u><\/strong><\/i>.<\/strong><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n[ad_2]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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